Warning: contains a preview for The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #3!
The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #3. The comic story brings back fan-favorite Ace, the Dark Knight's crime-fighting dog, to team up with Scooby-Doo, leaving no bones about this issue being a fun one to look forward to as it sees a physical release this week following digital-first publication.
Ace the Bat-Hound has had numerous iterations over the years, though he tends to be a German Shepherd or a mixed Great Dane. He debuted in 1955 and was originally brown, though he has also had a black or gray coat. Ace is largely identifiable by his own mask and cowl as well as the occasional cape. While initially seeming silly or like it is just a way of mirroring Batman, this outfit is actually very practical, since Ace has a distinctive mark on his head which his cowl is needed to hide.
The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #3 is an issue where Batman's reputation truly goes to the dogs. The story "Double Dog Dare" is written by Ivan Cohen, with art by Dario Brizuela, colors by Franco Riesco, and letters by Saida Temofonte. A DC Comics preview for this issue reveals that Batman may be a big deal, but Ace is capable of drawing a bigger crowd than his vigilante owner.
This preview shows Mystery Inc. capturing and unmasking the Baggage Bandit - a random villainous foe of seemingly little significance compared to their usual cases. It then explains why Scooby and Ace are present. These two celebrity canines are judges for the Gotham City Dog Show. Scooby-Doo regularly talks, but in this issue, Ace talks as well, using 'translated' speech balloons that show the animals are communicating in a language of their own, allowing Ace to be as expressive as possible in the latest of his rare appearances.
Of note in this issue is that the complete Mystery Inc. gang are not present. Instead, only Daphne, Shaggy, and Scooby are available, with Fred and Velma being off in Louisiana on another case. This is actually rather peculiar for the team, since they tend to only split up when looking for clues on the same case. With divided forces, there could be additional difficulties for Batman and Mystery Inc. to cover as much ground as necessary, considering how many crimes are occurring. However, with Ace thrown into the mix, the gang may actually get to work directly with the Dark Knight and his canine companion.
Although Batman is likely the biggest draw for comic fans, the preview for this issue proves that the focus should really be on Scooby and Ace. At the airport, a Gotham crowd gathers, but not for Batman or even Mystery Inc as a collective. This crowd only want to see Ace and Scooby. Despite the fact that Batman's companion has likely been in more dangerous, nerve-wracking situations as a crime-fighter, Scooby is the one who shines in this moment as a natural celebrity. But while Ace the Bat-Hound may not be used to the attention, he's still the one drawing the crowd, proving that he's more popular than Batman... under the right circumstances. The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #3 hits physical retailers June 8.
